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World Economic and Social Survey 2002
The key issue of Part One of this year's World Economic and Social Survey
revolves around the origin, depth, strength and sustainability of the
economic recovery under way in some major developed market economies and
some developing countries, but still tentative notably in Western Europe.
It examines also the question of symmetry, namely whether any upturn in
developed market economies will have similar repercussions on core
developing countries in 2002-2003 as had the downslide from late 2000 in
the United States and elsewhere with some delay until at least early 2002.
Finally, it assesses the global economic situation shaping up and its
repercussions for international trade and finance, including commodity
prices, which are so crucial for recovering some of the ground lost in
many developing countries and some economies in transition.
Part Two looks at new thinking and experiences of public-private
cooperation in achieving society’s goals. It shows how the role of the
government is experiencing a drastic transformation, as the public sector
gradually retreats from the direct production of goods and social services
in competitive markets and as the private sector expands its activity in
areas that are widely considered the state’s responsibility. It describes
the experiences in different sectors and addresses the issues related to
this new relationship between the public and the private sector. Chapter
V deals with the privatization process per se as a tool to forge changes in
the relation between the State and the market and to use society’s limited
means most efficiently to supply people’s needs. It also describes the
changes produced by privatization on the focus and nature of research and
development. Chapter VI analyzes the shifts in the agricultural sector as
the share of private investment in R&D increases. The utilities sector has
been a main target for privatization programmes throughout the world.
Chapter VII describes how increased competition coupled with an effective
regulatory scheme as part of a wider liberalization process can lead to
increased efficiency, better quality and a significant fall in the real
price of electricity. Chapters VIII and IX focus on the private sector’s
involvement in human resources development: in education and health. They
conclude that in both sectors, private participation has been essential in
complementing the public provision of these vital services. They also
propose that the public sector should take steps to enhance its dual role
as both an important provider and also an efficient regulator to assure
equal access, allocation and quality.
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Order Your Copy Today!
SALES #: E.02.II.C.1
ISBN: 9211091403
PAGES: 344pp.
PRICE: $55.00
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